Caring for Arab Patients: A Biopsychosocial Approach / Edition 1

by Laeth Nasir, Arwa Kayed Abdul-Haq, Tony Lockett

Overview

This practical and patient-centred guide assists medical professionals in delivering better clinical care to Arab patients. In examining the psychosocial underpinnings of Arab medicine, this unique book summarises and assesses the latest research, taking into account the needs and priorities of Arab patients. Important issues covered include patient education, compliance, 'doctor shopping', and psychiatric and mental health services. The evidence-based approach integrates academic research and first-hand experience from the unique bicultural position of the contributors. "Caring for Arab Patients" is vital for all healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and occupational therapists with responsibilities for Arab patients, throughout the world. Students of medicine and nursing will find much of interest, as will healthcare managers, researchers, academics, policy makers and shapers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367446147
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	12/12/2019
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Laeth Nasir, Arwa Kayed Abdul-Haq, Tony Lockett

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface ix

About the editors x

List of contributors xi

Introduction 1

Part 1 Culture, environment and health

1 Culture and health Sherine F Hamdy Laeth S Nasir 5

2 Globalization, health and culture Laeth S Nasir 19

3 Gender and health Laeth S Nasir Raeda Al-Qutob 27

4 Genetic disorders Ghazi O Tadmouri 61

Part 2 The family

5 The Arab family: formation, function and dysfunction Arwa Kabdul-Haq 77

6 Child abuse and neglect Adib Essali 89

7 Domestic conflict and violence Aisha Hamdan 101

8 Disability Arwa K Abdul-Haq 117

9 Age and aging Abdelrazzak Abyad 125

10 Death and dying Laeth S Nasir 141

Part 3 Mental health

11 Approach to the patient in primary care psychiatry Laeth S Nasir Arwa K Abdul-Haq 155

12 Anxiety and somatoform disorders Brigitte Khoury Michel R. Khoury Laeth S Nasir 169

13 Post-traumatic stress disorder Eyad El-Sarraj Taysir Diab Abdel Aziz Thabet 185

14 Eating disorders Nasser Shuriquie 199

15 Substance abuse Laeth S Nasir 209

16 Depression, self-harm behavior and suicide Laeth S Nasir 223

Part 4 Patient education

17 Patient education Anahid Kulwicki 235

Index 247

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book addresses how to deal with the healthcare needs of Arab patients while understanding the psychosocial and cultural dimensions. It covers both medical and psychiatric issues throughout the lifespan.
Purpose: According to the editors, this book "uses a cross-disciplinary synthesis of research evidence to explore the psychosocial aspects of medical care in Arab countries." They note that the book has two purposes: "The first is to explore scientific literature related to psychosocial aspects of medicine," and the second "is to help to begin the process of systematically exploring and developing explanatory models of psychosocial determinants of health in our region."
Audience: The book is designed for physicians, medical students and other health professionals who work with patients in the Arab world. Laeth S. Nasir is a professor of family medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Arwa K. Abdu-Haq is a staff physician at the Children's Hospital in Omaha. The contributors represent various Arab countries including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Palestine.
Features: The book begins with an understanding of the connection between culture and health and includes wonderful brief case studies to help illustrate the Arab culture. The second part is an extensive look at family issues including child abuse, domestic violence, and aging. Mental health issues are addressed in terms of specific DSM-IV diagnostic categories prevalent in the Arab community such as anxiety, mood, and anxiety disorders. As a psychologist, I was especially interested in this part of the book. Unfortunately, the chapters are rather short and I could only find one case example. The book ends with health education information - a nicely written section in terms of developing culturally appropriate education models and preparing educational materials. The tables and figures help to clarify and summarize the content, which is supported by an extensive amount of research. Books like this are, indeed, rare. Most of the time, just chapters in multicultural books are devoted to Arab culture. There are no obvious shortcomings of the book, although additional case examples would be welcome.
Assessment: This is a wonderful introduction to the culture of Arab patients. It will help medical professionals in addressing their needs, keeping in mind crucial cultural factors. It is rare to find a whole book devoted to understanding and helping Arab patients. As a mental health professional in Chicago where there is a sizable Arab population, I appreciate having this information all in one book.

Doody's Review Service